Space Jam: A New Legacy

LeBron James plays a fictionalized version of himself as an overbearing father whose son Dom (Cedric Joe) is more interested in video game design than basketball in Space Jam: A New Legacy, an attempt to revamp the 1996 original. LeBron must gather the Looney Tunes, including a newly strengthened Lola Bunny (Zendaya), to defeat Goon Squad avatars in a basketball game in order to liberate his son after he and Dom are imprisoned in the "Server-verse" by a rogue AI dubbed Al-G Rhythm (Don Cheadle). LeBron exhibits unexpected comedic timing and a willingness to make fun of his own public character, and the video succeeds as a visual spectacle with vivid, dynamic animation that combines 2D and 3D styles throughout the pivotal game. With cameos from Mad Max, Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, and even A Clockwork Orange that will delight pop culture fans, the film also serves as an unabashed but successful celebration of Warner Bros. intellectual property. Don Cheadle's scenery-chewing performance as the antagonist adds real entertainment value.

However, the film's emotional core suffers greatly, turning the father-son reunion arc into cliches and replacing real character development with commercial marketing. At 115 minutes, the length seems bloated, with the first hour dominated by world-building and LeBron's callous portrayal as a domineering parent until the Tunes eventually show up. Jokes about Porky Pig's rapping prowess and Granny's fighting prowess feel more embarrassing than ingenious, and the much-discussed "sexy Lola Bunny" redesign ultimately doesn't matter much when the character gets little screen time or significant development. Seldom does the humor go beyond the young. The last act's emphasis on Dom's video game techniques seems like a cynical attempt to engage younger people rather than a logical story progression, and the basketball sequences, while visually creative, lack the suspense and stakes of the original film's Michael Jordan comeback tale. In the end, Space Jam: A New Legacy serves as both a nostalgic trip for adults who grew up with the original and a colorful diversion for kids, but its corporate synergy and lack of true heart prevent it from evolving into anything more than a full-length commercial for Warner Bros. properties.

Staff:

Directed by: Malcolm D. Lee^[a]

Written by: Juel Taylor, Tony Rettenmaier, Keenan Coogler, Terence Nance, Jesse Gordon, and Celeste Ballard

Story by: Juel Taylor, Tony Rettenmaier, Keenan Coogler, and Terence Nance^[b]

Based on: Space Jam by Leo Benvenuti, Steve Rudnick, Timothy Harris, and Herschel Weingrod

Produced by: Ryan Coogler, LeBron James, Maverick Carter, and Duncan Henderson

Starring: LeBron James, Don Cheadle, Khris Davis, Sonequa Martin-Green, Zendaya, Jeff Bergman, and Eric Bauza.

Cinematography: Salvatore Totino^[c]

Edited by: Bob Ducsay

Music by: Kris Bowers^[d]

Production companies: Proximity Media and The SpringHill Company

Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures

Release date: July 16, 2021

Running time: 115 minutes

^[a]: Due to creative disagreements, Terence Nance resigned as director during production, and Lee took his position. As an executive producer and writer, he kept his credit.

^[b]: Both as a solo narrative writer and as a member of a writing team that included Taylor, Rettenmaier, and Coogler, Nance is given credit.

^[c]: The original cinematographer, Bradford Young, left during production, and Totino took his place.

^[d]: Bowers replaced Hans Zimmer, who had been originally assigned to write the score.